A Melbourne doctor who promotes “natural healing” and who helps parents to avoid compulsory vaccinations for their children is reportedly being investigated by Australia’s health watchdog.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is reportedly investigating Dr John Piesse, who boasted at meetings of anti-vaccinators that he can help parents jump through hoops to get their children exempt from Victoria’s “no jab, no play” legislation.

The legislation means children cannot be enrolled in early childhood daycare or education unless their carers have proof they are fully immunised, on a recognised vaccination catch-up program or unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons. Conscientious objection is not an exemption.

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Piesse also helps his patients avoid federal “no jab, no pay” legislation which withholds family payments from parents who don’t immunise their children.

Piesse’s medical registration with Ahpra shows he has previously been ordered to undertake further education. On Thursday Victoria’s acting health minister, Martin Foley, told radio 3AW in Melbourne that it was “not good enough” Piesse was still being investigated after concerns about his anti-vaccination comments were first raised in August 2016.

“It is deeply disappointing and concerning that after 12 months an investigation into Dr Piesse’s practice has not yet been concluded by Ahpra,” Foley said.

“By failing to vaccinate their children, parents are putting their kids and others in our community at risk of terrible diseases or death.”

In a video from an anti-vaccination event held in August this year, published by the Herald Sun, Piesse explains how he tries to beat compulsory vaccination.

“I am a doctor who has been working hard for 18 months to try and help parents get exemption from vaccinated pain for vaccinated play, with mixed success,” he says.

“You need a doctor’s letter of contrary indication in the right form, provided the doctor has got the qualifications required for no vax no pay, or is a registered medical practitioner for no vax no play.”

Ahpra said it could not comment on media claims that at least two other Melbourne doctors were being investigated for also helping their patients avoid vaccinations following a notification from the health department.

“The confidentiality protections under the national law prevent us from commenting on individuals, except where the information is publicly available, such as published on the public register or in the findings of a tribunal,” a statement provided to Guardian Australia said.

“The board expects all medical practitioners to meet these obligations, be ethical and trustworthy and put their patients’ best interests first.”

The health department told Guardian Australia it has referred one anti-vaccination doctor to Ahpra, but could not reveal further details due to confidentiality laws.